Steelers' summer of discontent

LATROBE - Never before in their first 78 years of existence have the Steelers opened training camp like they did Thursday.

The day started with the release of two popular veterans.

It ended with the news that tackle Willie Colon had agreed to a new contract.

In between those transactions were promises that recent off-the-field incidents would not disrupt the Steelers' plans to get back to the Super Bowl.

"We acknowledge that these are unique circumstances, and a lot of things are going on," coach Mike Tomlin said. "But we're not overly concerned about it. We'll do the best that we can to be our best selves and we're excited about doing that."

"It's great to be back with the guys," added free safety Ryan Clark. "It's time to get down to business."

Due to terms of the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement that was agreed upon Monday, this promises to be a preseason unlike any other in league history. Free agents can't sign new deals until 6 p.m. today and can't practice until this coming Thursday. "It's going to be tough because everybody isn't here yet," Clark said.

Among the 86 Steelers to report by Thursday were linebacker James Harrison and wide receiver Hines Ward. Both were involved in embarrassing off-the-field incidents during the of-season and may be fined by the league because of it.

Harrison, the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, ripped NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and two teammates in the August edition of Men's Journal magazine.

Harrison called Goodell a "crook" and a "devil" and used a gay slur to describe him. Harrison also criticized quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for throwing two interceptions in the Super Bowl XLV loss to the Packers and running back Rashard Mendenhall for his fourth-quarter fumble in that game.

Ward was arrested in July for driving under the influence.

Nearly all of the Steelers' most prominent players avoided the media upon their arrival Thursday at St. Vincent College. That group included Harrison, Ward, Roethlisberger and Mendenhall among others. Obviously, Harrison and Ward weren't eager to discuss their recent controversies

"I've spoken to a lot of our guys about their individual situations, and I fully intend to leave that between them and myself," Tomin said.

"What he said regarding the commissioner was inappropriate," Tomlin said. "Whether or not it will be detrimental to the development of our team, that remains to be seen. But it was inappropriate."

Tomlin, who'll be on the practice field at 2:55 p.m. today to lead the Steelers through their first camp practice, believes that Harrison's comments won't have a negative effect on the team.

"We have a unique group of guys who are uniquely close, so I imagine that it didn't register as big a blip on the radar as you might imagine," he said. "Those guys love and respect James. They know how he is, and they take some of the things he says with a grain of salt, to be quite honest with you."

Not long after Tomlin addressed the media after a run test early Thursday evening, the Steelers and Colon agreed on a five-year contract worth $29 million.

Colon's signing came less than 24 hours after the Steelers told left tackle Max Starks and reserve wide receiver Antwaan Randle El that they would be cut as management tries to put together a roster under the $120 million salary cap.

Starks, 29, had been a starter since 2005, primarily at left tackle. But he was due to make $5.14 million this season and last year only played in seven games due to a neck injury that put him on the season-ending injured reserve list.

Randle El, 31, was due to make $2 million this year.

"Of course, we've got great respect for those guys and what they contributed to our football team," Tomlin said. "I'm not going to get into any specifics that led into the decision, but they were necessary business maneuvers. We appreciate the efforts of those men and wish them the absolute best as they move forward."

After reaching an agreement with Colon, the Steelers have now locked in three of their top priorities. On Tuesday, cornerback Ike Taylor agreed to a four-year contract. On Wednesday, kicker Shaun Suisham agreed to a four-year deal.